September 2003 Issue 

  In  this  Issue

World Population Day 2003 

Statement by Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA

11 July 2003

Today, on World Population Day, let us focus on the rights and needs of young people. There are more young people today than ever before and they deserve recognition and support. Half of the 6.3 billion people sharing our planet are under the age of 25. Over one billion are between the ages of 10 and 19--the largest youth generation in human history.

Working together, we must support adolescents to achieve their dreams for a better life. If they are prepared with knowledge, choices and opportunities, they can live healthy and productive lives and contribute to a more stable world. If, on the other hand, their needs and concerns are ignored or given low priority, the disservice done is to us all.

At the most basic level, every young person has the right to education and health. Yet, far too many young people are deprived of schooling and adequate health care, and the consequences are devastating. Each day, over 70,000 teenage girls are married, many against their will, and nearly 40,000 give birth. For these young women, this means an incomplete education, limited opportunities and serious health risks. Assisting girls to complete secondary schooling and delay marriage and childbirth can help break the cycle of poor health, illiteracy and poverty. Stronger efforts are also needed to confront sexual violence, exploitation and abuse.

Another great risk and challenge is HIV/AIDS. Today, half of all new HIV infections occur among young people. Each day, 6,000 young women and men are newly infected. These facts alone demonstrate the need for greater education, information and services to help young people protect their health. In countries where national programmes target and involve youth, infection rates are declining. By educating, empowering and mobilizing young people, we can turn the AIDS epidemic around.

Young people have a right to reproductive health information and services. Studies repeatedly show that education about sexuality and reproduction does not increase irresponsible behaviour. On the contrary, it helps young people to make responsible, healthy decisions.

Today, on World Population Day, I invite leaders to listen to young people's concerns and hopes and put in place laws, policies and programmes that support their well-being and participation and protect their human rights.

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Making 1 Billion Count: Investing in Adolescents’ Health and Rights

1 billion adolescents are about to enter their reproductive years

The State of World Population 2003

Over 1.2 billion adolescents—one person in five—are making the transition from childhood to adulthood. How well we prepare them to face adult challenges in a fast changing world will shape humanity’s common future. Adolescents must be enabled to avoid early pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS while being given skills, opportunities and a real say in development plans, stresses The State of World Population 2003 report by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund.

The report, Making 1 Billion Count: Investing in Adolescents’ Health and Rights, will be released on 8 October, on the web and at press events in London and other cities around the world.

Adolescents are a diverse group. Millions of girls in poor countries still get married and give birth in their teens, interrupting their education and endangering their health. For many other girls and boys, the trend is towards later marriage but greater exposure to the risks of unprotected sexual activity. All, whether rich or poor, married or not, urban or rural, in school or out, have a right to information and services to safeguard their sexual and reproductive health. Girls and young women need better protection against discrimination, coercion and gender-based violence.

Actions to ensure these human rights can have tremendous practical benefits, empowering individuals, promoting gender equality, stemming the HIV/AIDS pandemic, reinforcing an uneven global trend towards smaller families, reducing poverty and improving prospects for economic progress, the report shows.

Around the world, innovative programmes are teaching adolescents about reproductive health and showing how relevant health services can be made more “youth-friendly” to increase their use. Laws and policies are being revised to give greater attention to adolescents’ needs and rights. Not investing in such efforts will perpetuate poverty, inequality, unsustainable population growth and HIV/AIDS.

After 8 October the full report will be available for free at www.unfpa.org  

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Empowering Youth about their Sexuality

Adolescent Reproductive Health

Ignoring young people’s sexuality does not solve their problems. Among girls aged 15 to 19, 15 million give birth each year and 4 million undergo abortions—many unsafe. Only 17 per cent of sexually active young people use contraceptives. With limited knowledge about their bodies, adolescents are vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections, substance abuse, exploitation and violence. Both girls and boys suffer when denied access to needed information and services. Gender has a major impact, however: 82 million girls in developing countries will be married before their 18th birthday.

Youth Participation

With energy, ambition and a will to change, young people can shape the future of their countries. They are making a difference as peer educators helping others avoid unwanted pregnancy and STIs, as actors in plays on HIV/AIDS prevention, as speakers asking politicians to listen. Most of the world’s 1 billion young people live in developing countries. Young people (especially adolescent girls) need a voice in decisions affecting their lives and opportunities to participate as citizens and actors of change. The benefits for all include human rights, social cohesion and stability, and productive adults contributing to development.

Involve young people in decision-making processes • Educate to improve knowledge and life skills • Engage in dialogue • Promote girls’ empowerment and gender equality • Facilitate youth leadership, citizenship and partnership with adults • Reduce poverty and increase opportunities • Recognize differences based on age, gender and culture • Enlist parents, teachers and communities in support of young people’s participation

Involve young people in planning and producing events for World Population Day on 11 July 2003.

• Engage artists, writers, actors, painters and musicians to work together with young people in creating messages for the day.

• Organize public contests for the best posters, essays, songs, speeches, plays, poems, slogans and artwork about young people and reproductive health. Offer prizes or publication and arrange local media coverage.

• Hold workshops, debates, lectures, seminars, round table discussions and press conferences.

• Write case studies and examples that tell the story of a person or programme. Use quotes, set the scene, describe the people and the process. Work with journalists to create special materials or supplements for newspapers and magazines.

• Produce programmes for radio, television and film.

• Share information and link to the UNFPA web site (www.unfpa.org).

• Encourage discussions among young people inside and outside school.

Send us your success story

Real success stories inspire action. UNFPA is collecting summaries of reproductive health activities showing positive results, whether implemented with governments, NGOs, schools, community groups or individuals. Please write up your experiences and send them to dungus@unfpa.org  

Source: UNFPA

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2003 Human Development Index Reveals Development Crisis

21 countries suffered socio-economic reversals in the 1990s

The world is facing an acute development crisis, with many poor nations suffering severe and continuing socio-economic reversals, warns the Human Development Report 2003.

The Report’s annual Human Development Index (HDI), measuring the progress of nations on key social and economic indicators, shows that 21 countries experienced declines in the 1990s. In the 1980s, only four countries tracked by UNDP showed similar decade-long declines.

“Reversals in HDI are highly unusual as these indicators generally tend to edge up slowly over time,” said Mark Malloch Brown, UNDP Administrator. “The fact that over the course of the 1990’s, 21 countries experienced a decline—in some cases a drastic drop—signifies an urgent call for action to address health and education as well as income levels in these countries.”

The 2003 Human Development Index ranks 175 countries for 2001, the most recent year of available data. The top and the bottom of the Index remain unchanged from last year: Norway is on top and Sierra Leone is on the bottom. 

The Index, developed in 1990, takes stock of fundamental aspects of human development in countries both rich and poor. The Index is a composite measure of life expectancy, education and income per-person.

• Almost all of the “low human development” countries at the bottom of the Index are in sub-Saharan Africa: 

30 out of a total of 34.

• Roughly half of the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean recorded either a decline or stagnation in income during the 1990s. 

• Eastern Europe and Central Asia saw an overall decline in the 2003 Human Development Index resulting from falling per capita income. The decline was particularly steep in Moldova, Tajikistan, Russian Federation and the Ukraine.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the devastation of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is responsible for the declines in the 2003 Human Development Index. Life  expectancy has fallen dramatically with HIV/AIDS incidence rates as high as one in five in some countries. South Africa, for instance, fell 28 ranks from 1990 primarily because more people were dying younger from AIDS-related illnesses.

Declines in the Index for Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe tell a similar story. Yet there was also positive news from the developing world in the 2003 Human Development Index, with countries from all continents registering major gains since 1990:

• Benin, Ghana, Mauritius, Rwanda, Senegal and Uganda have all significantly improved their rankings.

• Bangladesh, China, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal and Thailand also moved up over the last decade.

• Brazil recorded a big jump in the Human Development Index—due mainly to its education efforts. Bolivia and Peru also improved their positions as a result of social policy reforms over the same period.

In the Human Development Report 2003, two other indices shed light on important aspects of development:

• The Human Poverty Index (HPI) for rich countries which ranks them according to their national levels of poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and life-expectancy. 

Sweden comes in at the top while the United States finishes last. The Report notes that Sweden, despite a lower per capita income than the United States, has, on average, more adults who are functionally literate and fewer living in poverty. This Index shows that even in middle or high income countries, inequity persists.

• The Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM) which shows women’s participation in the political and economic arenas. Data from this year’s GEM shows discrimination against women persists despite high national ranking on the Human Development Index. Many poor countries outperform far richer countries. In terms of participation and inclusion, women fare better in Botswana, Costa Rica and Namibia than they do in Greece, Italy and Japan.

“For the highly developed countries, the GEM and the HPI are much more meaningful measures of human development than the main Human Development Index,” said lead author, Sakiko Fukuda Parr. “These indices show that two countries can have similar human development ranking, but still differ sharply on the proportion of their citizens who remain excluded and lack opportunities.”

To view the Report see: http://www.undp.org/hdr2003/ 

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Mandela through a Gender Lens

By Colleen Lowe Morna

Colleen Lowe Morna,  Director of Gender Links, a Southern African NGO that promotes gender equality in and through the media has written this article about what  impresses her the most about Nelson Mandela in his 85th year. She writes, 

"As we prepare for Women's Day on 9 August, and for the celebration of ten years of democracy on 27 April 2004, let us take two lessons from Nelson's Mandela's life. One is to challenge our own socialisation, as he did, by striving for equal representation and partnership between women and men. The other is to feminise our understanding of leadership- the real secret behind the miracle that is Mandela."

To view the article see: Mandela through a Gender Lens 

The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) Appoints New National Director

The Chair of the Australian Republican Movement, Professor John Warhurst, announced on 21 July 2003 that the ARM has appointed Ms Allison Henry as its new National Director. Ms Henry will replace Mr Jim Terrie, the ARM's National Director since March 2000, who has resigned to take up an appointment with the International Crisis Group in Africa.

Professor Warhurst said, "After a public selection process which yielded some high quality candidates, we were able to select someone with the skills and dedication required to run the organisation and capitalize on our regeneration since the 1999 Referendum. Allison Henry has been involved with all levels of the ARM since 1995. Her work within the organisation's NSW Council as NSW Forums Coordinator and most recently as NSW Convenor, in addition to her membership of the ARM's National Committee, has given her a good insight into the ARM's needs from the grass roots to the national level."

Ms Henry's professional background is primarily in law and international relations. Most recently she has worked as a country researcher and legal officer with a Commonwealth government agency. She has undergraduate degrees in Arts and Law, a Masters degree in International Studies and is currently undertaking postgraduate study in international law at the ANU.

Ms Henry said that she was looking forward to the challenge of her new role within the ARM. She stated that her priority was to continue to rebuild the ARM so that the organisation is ready for a future plebiscite regarding Australia's Head of State.

Professor Warhurst acknowledged the efforts of Jim Terrie, saying that Jim became National Director in the aftermath of the '99 loss and faced a difficult task in reorganizing the ARM and regenerating public interest in the campaign for an Australian Head of State. Since then he has dealt with a wide variety of organizational and political issues and leaves the ARM in a strong position to achieve its aims.

Professor Warhurst added that the ARM's immediate priority was to become actively involved in the Inquiry into the Republic to be undertaken shortly by the Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee. The work of this committee is an opportunity for the question of an Australian Head of State to return to the high priority that it deserves.

Allison Henry will commence as ARM National Director on Monday 4 August.

Source: "The Australian Republican Movement"

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Following the Footsteps of Young Indigenous Leaders

19 June, 2003 DEST

The Minister for Education, Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, launched a publication telling the inspiring stories of young Indigenous leaders on 19 July 03.

Fresh Footprints profiles 60 young Indigenous role models and reflects on their values and personal qualities. The publication is a recommendation of the 2001-2002 National Indigenous Youth Leadership Group.

The Commonwealth, through the Department of Education, Science and Training and the Department of Family and Community Services, has contributed $68,000 to the project.

Dr Nelson welcomed the publication as a showcase of young leaders in Indigenous communities and what they can achieve both for themselves and their communities.

"These young people and their outstanding achievements remind us that there is no emotion more fragile or as powerful, as that of hope. All Australians should be proud of what they have accomplished," the Minister said.

Mr Anthony praised the work of the co-authors, two young Indigenous journalists, Michelle Tyhuis and Kate Munroe.

"They have done a wonderful job in revealing the talented young people behind the stories –– from young pilots, to recording artists and Olympians –– thereby giving other young people the inspiration to achieve," Mr Anthony said.

For more information about Fresh Footprints or the National Indigenous Youth Leadership Group, phone (free call) 1800 624 309 or visit www.thesource.gov.au/niylg/index.htm

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Girls Go Global Project

One world, 3 billion women and girls—global feminism without limits

Girls Go Global is…

Funky, clever, edgy, inspired, talented, impassioned, empowered… 

How do you see global feminism? 

The Girls Go Global Project is an international initiative to bring together contemporary and pop culture images of global feminism from women and girls across the globe.   

Send your words, essays (not more than 3000 words), photos, art, web images, lyrics, poems, graffiti, and multimedia depictions of feminism to be a part of a global collection for publication and possible exhibition.  See the website for more details on how to enter: 

http://www.girlsgoglobal.org  

The goal of Girls Go Global is

·        To demystify feminism and promote a positive and engaging connection with the term.  This project aims to provide a funky source of literature that entices people to become a part of the global women’s movement(s) which will be portrayed as a talented and inspiring bunch of women throughout the world with different views and skills who work together for justice. 

We hope the outcomes will:

·        Provide a context that values and celebrates non conventional and non academic forms of expression of feminism(s) which are positive, strong and empowering and represent women of different ages, cultures and backgrounds.

·        Provide a creative book produced by feminist activists on their own terms and design.  It will be compiled and reviewed by a panel of international experts. 

The Girls Go Global Project received initial funding from the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) and the Ford Foundation but requires additional funding and assistance.  Girls Go Global is the initiative of a group of global feminists and is run by a voluntary Advisory Group.  For any further information, please contact suzette@girlsgoglobal.org

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UPDATE: Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women(CEDAW)

CEDAW held its 29th Session at the UN Headquarters, New York from 30 June-18 July 2003. The Committee considered reports from the following 8 countries: Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, and Slovenia.

The following countries have signed and ratified the CEDAW convention in 2003: Afganistan-5th March 2003, Syrian Arab Republic–28th March 2003, Timor-Liste –16th April 2003. In addition, one more country Sao Tome and Principe ratified the convention on June 3, 2003, bringing the total number of ratifications to 174 countries out of a total of 191 countries in the United Nations.

For an in-depth analysis of the impact of CEDAW see : “The First CEDAW   Impact Study Final Report” by Marilou Mcphedran, Susan Bazilli, Moana Erickson and Andrew Bynes. This pilot study by the International Women's Rights Project (IWRP) at York University concluded that, although CEDAW is underutilized, there is a growing awareness among women's groups who participated in the study of how they can use the convention to pressure their governments to abide by international treaty commitments. Countries include Germany, Japan, Nepal, South Africa and Turkey. 

See: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw.htm

http://www.womenink.org

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The International Criminal Court's first prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo

An Argentinian lawyer has been confirmed as the first prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, based in The Hague. Luis Moreno Ocampo helped prosecute Argentina's former military rulers in the 1980's. He'll decide on the cases to be heard at the ICC, the first permanent world court set up to try the most serious crimes. 

Luis Moreno Ocampo has prosecuted leaders of the 1976-1983 military dictatorship in Argentina in more than 700 cases involving the kidnapping, torture and forced disappearances of opponents of the regime.

He also investigated violations of the laws of war committed by Argentine military leaders during the 1982 conflict with Britain over the Falklands islands.

Mr Moreno Campo was elected unopposed in a secret ballot on Monday by 78 of the 89 countries that have ratified the 1999 Rome Statute establishing the  International Criminal Court, the first permanent tribunal set up to try cases of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. He will begin his nine-year term on June 16. (Radio Netherlands)

To view his address to the Assembly of States when he was named the first prosecutor of the International Criminal Court see: 

STATEMENT MADE BY MR. LUIS MORENO OCAMPO

Protocol on Women's Rights adopted by the Maputo African Unity Summit

The African Unity Summit held in Maputo, Mozambique during 4-12 July 2003 adopted the Protocol on Women’s Rights to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. 

The new Protocol is a historic first in that it calls for the legal prohibition of female genital mutilation. It sets forth a broad range of rights for women including establishment of the minimum age for marriage at 18, affirmative action to promote the equal participation of women and right to equal pay for equal work. The Protocol also sets a precedent in international law by explicitly calling for the reproductive right of women to medical abortion when pregnancy results from rape or incest or when maternal health or life is endangered with the continuation of pregnancy. 

Of the 53 members of the African Unity, Egypt and Libya attached reservations because, in their view, the Protocol is not in line with the Islamic Sharia Law. 15 members need to ratify the Protocol in order for it to come into force.

(Sources: GlobalNet http://www.equalitynow.org, http://www.wn.org)

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Call for Chapter Proposals: 

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION